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Alton Zoning Board stops repeated continuances, denies extensions and requires reapplication
Summary
The Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment denied further continuances for multiple long-pending cases, rejected expired extension requests and marked several older matters withdrawn, moving enforcement back to code officials and requiring reapplication with new public notice.
The Town of Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment voted on March 6 to stop a pattern of repeated continuances, deny expired-extension requests and require applicants to reapply with new public notice and fees.
The board rejected requests to continue two long-running matters that had been delayed repeatedly and denied extension requests for three expired applications tied to the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center. Board members also recorded that several cases (Z25-04 through Z25-08) were withdrawn because ownership had changed, and said new owners would need to appear before the board to pursue those matters.
Why it matters: board members said the continuances had extended beyond the limits set by the board’s bylaws and that allowing more delays would hinder transparency for neighbors and the public. The board noted that, with the continuances denied, existing cease-and-desist or enforcement actions can resume while applicants decide whether to refile.
At the meeting the board discussed how the continuances had been handled and how public notice had (or had not) been re-sent during repeated postponements. The board directed that applicants seeking a new continuance must submit a new public notice and pay any applicable fees before the item can be placed on the agenda again. The board also stated that because some continuances had lapsed beyond the allowable number under the Alton ZBA bylaws, the proper remedy was denial and reapplication rather than indefinite postponement.
Board action and next steps: a motion to deny the continuance requests and require reapplication carried. The board similarly moved to deny extensions for three older applications tied to the conference center (application identifiers cited at the meeting as KZ21-22, KZ21-23 and KZ201-24); that motion also passed. For the matters listed as withdrawn because of ownership change, staff said new owners would be notified when the items would be placed on a future agenda.
The board and staff noted enforcement will now be handled through the town’s code enforcement process for items that had previously been held in abeyance by continuance. The board said abutters and other interested parties will receive mailed notice when and if applicants refile.
